Epaggelia

v1, When the Lord is our Light, he casts out fear of Christ’s enemies from our heart, it is our responsibility to ensure our mind is focused on this heart-felt experience and condition, Jesus wants us to experience this same courage, as David did. John 1:4-5, 8:12.

v3, Being courageous in the face of death, has strengthened many Christian martyrs, which is why Paul could write 2nd Corinthians 5:6-8 for us today, making available to us a bravery that will stand against any enemy of Christ.

v4, Faith in God can give us priorities which will not waver throughout the many seasons of our life on earth. Having “one” of the goals in our heart with the Psalmist is to be “in” God’s Temple. For a Christian that is “in” Jesus Christ. See 2nd Corinthians 6:16 & Ephesians 2:21.

v5, The reason God is our salvation and soul’s security is because the ultimate height of the rock Christ is, and upon whom live & work, 1st Peter 2:6-8. He is a rock that will not sink, nor ever move! Upon Him, we have the upper advantage while engaged in any spiritual battle. See Luke 6:46-48.

v6, Joy is an innate part of making sacrifices for David, and moreso for us Christians, because our sacrifices are made holy by the perfect sanctity, purity and power of Christ, and not our own piety. Even during the memorial of communion proclaiming the death of Christ, we can be thankful, and find a sense of joy that can never be stolen from our heart. Luke 19:37 shares with us the reason many people joyously praise God in Christ, and that is his miraculous provision of grace in their own life. Have you seen God’s grace and not felt joy? Acts 11:21-23.

v8, Desiring to see the face of God is real, and should be understood by Christians. It certainly was a reality God had for faithful Jews to hope in, read Hosea 5:15 & Jeremiah 29:12-13. Christ wanted his personal disciples to believe that if they had seen him, they had seen the Father, John 14:9-11 & 20:29. The only disciples that saw the physical manifestation of the Father in Jesus, was Peter, James & John during Christ’s transfiguration. So why might any of us feel cheated or betrayed if we doubt the Father is in Christ, or that Christ’s Spirit in us is God’s Spirit? Romans 8:9. Perhaps because we have not seen a miracle? Shouldn’t our eye-witness of salvation and maturity through conversion and victory over temptation, be enough?

V9-12. Do we pray for the Lord to keep us safe from spiritual enemies? Do we believe we are involved in a spiritual battle? See Ephesians 6:11-12. If not, perhaps this is why you’ve been left feeling no courage for Christ? If we don’t have strength to overcome temptation, maybe it is because we don’t think we are in a spiritual battle to begin with? If true, there would be no sense in asking for strength to fight a battle you didn’t believe you were in.

v13-14, Have you seen the goodness of God here and now in the land of the living, or do you think that is only reserved for the future of eternity? Do you document his goodness? Do you share His goodness that you have seen with other people? This engenders the strength of the Lord. If courage is faltering in your life as a Christian, take faith in this promise, 1st Thes. 3:12-13. This strength grows, see 2nd Corinthians 4:8-16.